With the decade coming to an end in a few weeks, we here at MCM decided it would be a good time to do a top 10 list or two- because who doesn't love a top 10 list?
Today we start with the top 10 draft picks of the decade. Here is how this list was compiled- August, gramsey and I all came up with our own list. They sent their lists to me, actually shared it with me via google docs (which are awesome), and I averaged the three lists together to come up with what I am posting here. After the jump I have added a link that lists all of the picks the Titans made in the decade.
So without further adieu I present the top 10 draft picks of the decade:
1. Cortland Finnegan, CB, Samford (2006, Round 7, pick #215 overall)
Obviously this pick came down to Finny and Chris Johnson, but when you look at the fact that the Titans were able to draft and franchise corner, or as gramsey puts it "The best corner to ever wear Titan blue, and that includes Samari Rolle," in the seventh round, Finnegan gets the nod.
2. Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina (2008, Round 1, pick #24 overall)He is the best running back in the league. ‘Nuff said.
3. Keith Bulluck, LB, Syracuse (2000, Round 1, pick #30 overall)
You obviously expect big things out of every first round pick, and KBull has provided those big things and so much more. He has been the heart and soul of this defense for a long time. Interesting story on this pick is that the Titans had planned on taking Deon Grant here because they never dreamed Bulluck would fall to them. Looks like they ended up on the better side of that one.
T-4. Robaire Smith, DE/DT, Michigan State (2000, Round 6, pick #197 overall)
August thinks Robaire is overrated. That may be the case, but the Titans got waaay more than they ever could have expected out of a guy they took at #197. This was another testament to pretty much the only thing Floyd Reese was good at besides backloading contracts and early round busts (more on that tomorrow), finding diamonds in the rough.
T-4. David Stewart, OT, Mississippi State (2005, Round 4, pick #113 overall)
The credit here goes to Mike Munchak as much as anyone, but that doesn't change the fact that the Titans got book-end offensive tackles in the same draft. The only thing that gets Big Country the nod over the next guy on the list is that he was selected two rounds and 72 picks later.
6. Michael Roos, OT, Eastern Washigton (2005, Round 2, pick #41 overall)
Roos is a Pro Bowl left tackle. That is a win no matter where they are selected, but it is even more impressive to get one in the second round.
7. Bo Scaife, TE, Texas (2005, Round 6, pick #179 overall)
2005 was a good draft for the Titans. I have been critical of Scaife in the past, but that by no means takes away the successes he has had in this league after waiting until the 6th round to come off the board. I wonder how many sixth round picks have ever been given the franchise tag..
8. Stephen Tulloch, LB, NC State (2006 Round 4, pick #116 overall)
The Titans drafted three linebackers in the 2006 draft, and Tulloch has been the only one to stick. Tulloch has proved to be a vital member of this defense as he is currently the starting middle linebacker but has also played both outside linebacker positions in his tenure with the Titans.
9. Eugene Amano, C, SE Missouri State (2004, Round 7, pick #239 overall)
We had a little trouble forgiving Pinoy's boy for his transgression on Sunday to add him to this list, but it is impossible to ignore a guy that is a starting offensive lineman selected in the seventh round. Amano highlights two things about the draft strengths of the Titans- 1. they are good at picking offensive lineman and 2. they are good at finding good players from small schools.
10. Vincent Fuller, DB, Virginia Tech (2005, Round 4, pick #108 overall)
Vinny is yet another gem from the 2005 class. Fuller has held down the nickel back job for a couple of years now, and we all saw how valuable he was when he missed a few weeks earlier this year with a broken forearm.
Others receiving votes: William Hayes (2008, round 4, #103), Albert Haynesworth (2002, round 1, #15), and Justin Hartwig (2002, round 6, #187).
Click here to see the complete list of draft picks.
And there you have it. We would love to hear your comments on our list, or even your own list in the comments.